Taximeter



Sept. 1, 1953 J. G. WEISINGER TAXIMETER l4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 30, 1947 INVEN TOR.

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TAXIMETER Filed Aug. 30, 1947 14 Sheets-Sheet 2 I INVENYTOK.

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Sept. 1, 1953 J. G. WEISINGER TAXIMETER l4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. 30, 1947 INVEN TOR.

Sept. 1, 1953 J. G. WEISINGER TAXIMETER heets-Sheet 4 Filed Aug. 30, 1947 Sept. 1, 1953 J.'G. WEISINGER 2,650,757

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TAXIMETER Filed Aug. 30, 1947 14 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR.

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TAXIMETER Filed Aug. 50, 1947 l4 Sheets-Sheet '7v W Wgymm H TTOR/VEYS Sept. 1, 1953 J.G. WEISINGER TAXIMETER l4 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed Aug. 30, 1947 08m Em ma g 1477'OP/VEYS Sept. 1, 1953 J. G. WEISINGER .TAXIMETER l4 Sheets-Sheet 10 Filed Aug. 50, 1947 N m. W

TAXIMETER 14 Sheets-Sheet 11 Filed Aug. 50. 1947 ATTORNE Sept. 1, 1953 J. G. WEISINGER TAXIMETER l4 Sheets-Sheet 12 Filed Aug. 50, 1947 SINVENT 1;. BY 5 5 ,qrmp/vivs Sept. 1, 1953 .1. G. WEISINGER 2,550,757

TAXIMETER Filed Aug. so, 1947 14 Sheets-Sheet 13 4 TTORNE YS Patented Sept. 1, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TAXIMETER Joseph George Weisinger, Newark, N. J.

Application August 30, 1947, Serial No. 771,451

My invention relates to a new and improved taximeter.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a small and compact taximeter.

Another object of my invention is to provide a taximeter which can be easily assembled and disassembled, in order to facilitate its manufacture, inspection and repair.

In particular, I provide a taximeter which comprises several assemblies in respective subcasings or sub-housings, each of which can be removed without disturbing the other parts. Hence, if a respective assembly in a respective sub-casing becomes defective, it can be very easily removed and replaced. This applies particularly to the registering or indicating parts of the taximeter. This is a very important and novel feature. As hitherto made, if many important parts of a taximeter became defective, it was necessary wholly or substantially to disassemble the taximeter, in order to secure access to the defective part. This expensive and lengthy work is eliminated according to my invention.

When the cab is For Hire the flag of the taximeter is in the up position, in the embodiment illustrated herein.

In certain localities, a normal rate of fare is authorized during certain hours, and a higher rate of fare, such as double fare, is authorized during other hours. I provide a taximeter whereby the normal rate of fare is registered when the flag has been turned in a selected direction from its up position to a first selected down position, and the extra rate of fare is registered when the flag has been turnedfurther in said selected direction to a second down selected position.

A cab may be forced temporarily to stop during a paid trip, in order to replace a tire or for some other reason. I provide a device whereby, in such case, the flag may be further turned in said selected direction to a third selected down position, designated as free waiting time, during which no fare is registered if the cab is not in motion. When the cab is ready to proceed, the flag is turned from said third selected position to the first or to the second selected down position, in a direction reverse to said selected direction.

In this embodiment, the flag is fixed to a turnable flag-shaft. Said first, second, and third down positions correspond respectively to angles of rotation of said flag-shaft of 90, 180, and 270 from said up position. The flag- 10 Claims. (01. 235-30) shaft can be turned in said single selected direction from said up position to each of said three selected down positions.

In addition, the flag may be turned from any of the three down positions to any other of said down positions, by turning the flag shaft either clockwise or counterclockwise, within the aforesaid angular range of 90-270.

I also provide a device by which the flag can be returned to its up position, by turning it in said single selected direction from any respective down position, so that reverse turning of the flag-shaft is unnecessary.

I also provide an additional hand-operated register or registers for registering one or more extra charges, such as extra charges for luggage, also an extra charge for an additional passenger, etc, together with control means whereby such additional register or registers cannot be hand operated while the flag is in its up position.

I also provide improved means for displaying the successive units of fare during a paying trip.

These units of fare are displayed to the passenger, during a paying trip, by means of respective drums, which display or exhibit the respective successive digits or numerals of the respective fare. Each drum exhibits a respective set of digits or numerals. At the end of a trip, these drums are returned to respective initial display positions against suitable stops by respective return torsion springs, which are wound during the trip. I provide an improved slip connection between said drums and their respective torsion springs, at one or more of said drums, so as to prevent overwinding the respective torsion spring or springs.

It is well-known to automatically drive these display drums and also to drive the register of paid fares, by means of a mechanical connection with a wheel or shaft of the cab, and also by a supplemental clock mechanism. This clock mechanism actuates the respective automatic display and register parts during a paid trip while the cab is waiting, or while the cab is moving at less than a selected speed. It is also well-known in many localities to display and to register an initial minimum fare for a selected initial zone or distance at the beginning of a paid trip, and to automatically increase the display and register of said minimum initial fare by successive additional fare units during the paid trip, after the cab has travelled this selected initial distance or zone. I provide improved means whereby the taximeter can be ad- 3 justed to register the first additional fare unit when the cab has travelled less than the selected initial distance or zone, in order to allow for waiting time or to allow for slow speed. I also provide improved means for regulating the length of this initial zone.

Numerous additional important objects, features and advantages of my invention are disclosed in the annexed description and drawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment thereof.

Fig. 1 is a perspective exterior view of the complete assembled device, in which the flag .is shown in its up position. This illustrates a conventional removable casing Ca, which is detachably secured to the front plate I.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view, omitting the representation of easing Ca, which shows the partition plate 41 of the frame of the device fixed to said front plate I, and which also shows the rear part of the frame of the device and certain associated parts. This rear part of the frame is shown as detached from the partition plate.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the rear part of the frame of the device, together with certain associated parts, including some associated parts which are not shown in Fig. 2. These parts are shown separated from each other.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view which shows the front plate, the partition plate, the sub-casings or sub-housings for various sub-assemblies, and the lamp socket.

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view, partially in elevation, of the rear part of the frame and of certain working parts, looking .towards the rear of the device.

Figs. 6 and 7 are respectively longitudinal sectional views on the lines 6-6 and 'i'l of Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 is a detail longitudinal sectional view. partially in elevation, showing the wheel drive for operating certain parts, together with certain auxiliary other parts.

Fig. 9 is an elevation on the line 9-9 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 10 is a sectional view, partially in elevation, on the line lfi-IO of Fig. 22. Fig 10 is drawn to a larger scale than Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is an elevation on the line H-H of Fig. 5.

Fig. 12 is a section, partially in elevation, on the line l2--l2 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 13 is a detail rear view, which illustrates the mechanism whereby the flag can be releasably held in any of the selected down positions.

Fig. 14 is a sectional view on the line [4-44 of Fig. 13.

Fig. 15 is a detail top view which shows the mechanism for registering and exhibiting to the driver and the passenger, the charge for a respective ordinary trip without any extras.

Fig. 16 illustrates one of the devices for registering and displaying a respective extra charge.

Fig. 17 is a view of a part of another device for registering and displaying another respective extra charge.

Fig. 18 is a detail section, partially in elevation, showing the means for operating the mechanism for registering and displaying the extra charge which is registered and displayed by the mechanism of Fig. 16.

Fig. 19 is a sectional view on the line l9-l9 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 20 is a detail view which shows the means for operating the registering and displaying discs which are associated with the extra fare charges.

Fig. 21 is a detail section which illustrates one of the several drums whereby a respective fare unit is registered by the mechanism of Fig. 15, together with certain accessory parts.

Fig. 22 is a sectional view on the line 22-22 of Fig. 10.

Fig. 23 is a sectional view on the line 23-23 of Fig. 9.

Fig. 24 is a sectional view on the line 24-24 of Fig. 11.

Fig. 25 is a detail view of the clock mechanism of the device, as viewed from the rear end of the device.

Fig. 26 is a view on the line 26-26 of Fig. 25.

Fig. 27 is a detail view of the clutch mechanism of Fig. 24.

Fig. 28 is a top view on the line 2iS-28 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 29 is a detail perspective view of the partition plate, showing two of the sub-casings detachably fixed thereto.

Fig. 30 is a front elevation of Fig. 29, on a smaller scale.

Fig. 31 is a side elevation of Fig. 30.

Frame of device, sub-casings of device, and the wheel drive for parts which display and record the fare As shown in Fig. 2, the frame of the device comprises a transverse front plate I, which has a front wall la. This plate I has respective openings or windows 6a, 4a, 66a, 20., 5a, and 3a. The main or exterior casing Ca which is shown in Fig. 1, is detachably fixed to front plate I in any suitable manner, so as to enclose the in ternal parts of the device, save that the flag shaft 89 projects forwardly from the front and rear of the device and the winding shaft for the spring of the clock-mechanism may also thus project, and the hand-operated buttons for the hand-operated registers extend forwardly.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 4, said front plate I is provided with four rear, longitudinal and parallel posts or studs 48, which are arranged in two pairs.

Fig. 29 shows that the partition plate 4'! has four longitudinal holes 48. Each post 46 is longitudinally aligned with a respective hole '48. The rear ends of posts 46 are provided with respec tive longitudinal and tapped recesses. Fig. 4 shows screws 49. I use four screws 49, whose shanks extend through holes 48, in order detachably to connect partition plate 4'! to the rear ends of studs 46.

Figs. 4 and 29 show that partition plate 41 has top and bottom recesses. Each said recess has two vertical walls 41a, and a horizontal wall fi'ib. At its bottom, partition plate 41 has two longi tudinal and rearward lugs 471. As shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 31, the bottom wall 472) is provided at its middle with a forward longitudinal lug 411'.

Fig. 4 shows a sub-casing 50, which contains the hand-operated mechanism for displaying and registering a respective extra charge, such as an extra passenger charge; a sub-casing 5! which contains the hand-operated mechanism for displaying and registering another respective extra charge, such as a charge for luggage; a sub-casing 58, which contains the mechanism for displaying and registering, as viewed from left to right at the front of window 5a, an extra passenger charge at station 292 of Fig. 24; the number of times the flag is turned down, at station 293; the successive fare units at station 294, each fare unit corresponding to a respective complete rocking movement of arm 2%, later described;

the total paid distance traveled at station 295; the total distance traveled at station 296; and the extra luggage charge, at station 29|.

The sub-casing 63 contains the drums for displaying the fare for paid distance, at window 4a.

These sub-casings are shown only diagrammatically in Fig. 4.

The sub-casings 50 and 5| are respectively aligned with the openings or windows 2a and 3a.

As shown in Fig. 15, the sub-casing 63 has a top plate 64, which is connected to a corresponding bottom plate, by vertical posts 269 and screws 210.

Fig. 2 also shows that plate I has two longitudinal holes H and another longitudinal hole 3|a.

The longitudinal shanks of hand-operated buttons 298 and 299 extend forwardly through respective holes H. As later described, the button 298 operates the register for displaying and recording the extra passenger charge. The button 299 operates the register for recording a charge for extra luggage. This embodiment has a spring operated clock, which has a longitudinal winding shaft 3|. Fig. 1 shows a winding knob |65 which is attached to a short winding sleeve which can be inserted through opening 3|a, in order to engage the front end of winding shaft 3|, in order to wind said shaft 3|. The rear of the taximeter is provided with a hole similar to 3 la, so that said winding sleeve can be rearwardly inserted in order to wind the clock spring.

As shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 29, the sub-casing 58 has two lateral end-lugs 59, and a hole 62 in its top wall. Fig. 31 shows that the sub-casing lugs 59 abut lugs 411 of partition plate 41. The top wall of sub-casing 58 abuts lug 411* of partition plate 41. The lugs 411 and 59 are releasably fixed to each other by respective vertical screws 60. The lug HT is optionally fixed releasably to to the top wall of sub-casing 58 by a vertical screw 6|, which can be upwardly removed.

As also shown in Fig. 29 and Fig. 31, the rear transverse wall of sub-casing 63 is releasably fixed to partition plate 41 by two longitudinal screws 65.

As shown in Fig. 4, the sub-casings 50 and 5| have respective longitudinal plates 52 and 56, which are identical. Plate 52 has lateral holes 53. Screws 54 extend through holes 53 and engage tapped lateral recesses 55, shown in Fig. 29, which are provided at one vertical edge-wall of partition plate 41. The longitudinal plate 56 of sub-casing 5| is similarly detachably fixed to the other edge-wall of partition plate 41.

Each of the sub-casings 63, 50, 5| and 58 can thus be attached to and detached from partition plate 41, independently of the other said s'ub casings, and while partition plate 41 remains fixed to front plate and to the rear frame-part of the device. Hence, if any sub-assembly of any sub-casing becomes defective, said sub-casing can be easily removed and replaced. These subcasings 63, 5|], 5| and 58 are located between the partition plate 41 and plate L Fig. 4 also shows a lamp-socket 66, which is detachably fixed to partition plate 41 by screws 61, so that the lamp in said socket is aligned with opening or window 66a. Fig. 1 shows a transparent plate which bears a trade-mark and which is fixed to plate at the opening or window 660..

Fig. 2 shows a rear frame 1, which is located rearwardly of partition plate 41. This rear frame 1 has parallel vertical and longitudinal walls 8 and 9 which are connected by a'lat'eralbriace rod 203, and a bottom longitudinal and horizontal wall l8. At their front ends, said vertical longitudinal walls 8 and 9 are provided with lateral lugs I0, which have horizontal and longitudinal tapped bores or recesses. Fig. 29 shows that partition plate 41 has longitudinal bores lfla, which are longitudinally aligned with the tapped'longi tudinal bores or recesses of lugs ID. The lugs ID are detachably fixed to partition plate 41 by screws These lugs l0 abut the rear face of partition plate 41. The longitudinal wall 8 is shorter than'wall' 9. At its rear edge, wall 8 is integral with a'lateral vertical wall l9. As shown in Fig. 3, said wall l9 has an opening 20. When it is desired to turn the winding shaft 3| of the spring clock at the rear of the taximeter, the winding sleeveis in-f serted through opening 20. Said lateral wall I9 has a rearward longitudinal and vertical extension I9a. I

Fig. 3 shows a sub-casing 39, in which the clock-mechanism is located. Said sub-casing 30 has a front vertical and lateral wall 32, which is parallel to a rear wall 32a of said sub-casing 30: This front wall or plate 32 is detachably fixed by screws 33 to wall I9, with longitudinal winding shaft 3| aligned with the holes 20 and 3 la. This winding shaft 3| extends through a hole, not shown, in partition plate 41.

Fig. 3 shows a rearwardly inclined'lateral plate 2|, and bosses 22 and 23 of wall 9. The wall |9a has similar bosses, which are not shown. Plate 2| is fixed detachably to the two bosses 22 of walls 9 and 19a, by screws 25, which pass through respective holes 24 of plate 2 I.

As shown in Fig. 3, and in greater detail in Fig. 8, a series of circuit switches are connected to a plate or block 2|b, made of insulating niaterial, which is fixed detachably to plate 2|. These circuit switches are later more fully described. An electric socket attachment 2|a, which has plug blades 2| 0, is also detachably fixed to plate 2|. This socket attachment 2|a is forthe lamp, not shown, which is held in lampsocket 66.

Fig. 3 and Fig. 8 show a lower, rearwardly inclined plate 26, which has tapped bores 28. The lower plate 26 is fixed detachably to bosses 23 of walls 9 and |9a by screws 29.

As shown in detail in Fig. 19 and diagrammatically in Fig. 3, gears 10 and 15 are turnably mounted on lower plate 26. As also shown in detail in Figs. 8 and 19, a plate 12 is adjustably fixed-to lower plate 26 by clamping screws 13. This plate 12 has conventional adjustment slots which are vertically disposed in Fig. 19. The shanks of said clamping screws 13 extend through said adjustment slots, and engage the internal threads of respective tapped bores of plate 26.

As shown in Fig. 8, a shaft 14 has a bearing in plate 12. Gear 1| has a slotted hub, by means of which gear 1| can be detachably fixed to shaft 14. 1

Fig. 8 showsa sleeve 68 which is fixed to gear 10. Fig. 19 shows that gear 1| meshes with gears 10 and 15. In order to select the respective relative angular velocities of sleeve 68 and gear 15, I select gears 10 and 15 of the desired relative size, and I adjust plate 12 so that gear 1| will mesh with the selected gears 10 and 15.

Fig. 8 shows the conventional end-coupling C of a flexible shaft which is rotated by an axle of the taxicab. This coupling C is inserted through a boss 16 of plate 26, to engage and to rotate the shaft-of gear 15, thus rotating sleeve 63 by means of gears I I and 'III.

"As shown in Fig. 8, the rear part of a shaft 39 fits in. sleeve 68. This sleeve 68 has two shoulders',- only one of which is shown, which abut two diametrically opposed pins 69 of shaft 39, only one pin being shown. The shaft 33 is thus rotated in unison with sleeve 68.

Respective hollow worms 3'! and 43 are de tachably fixed to shaft 39. By mounting these two worms 3'! and 43 on a single shaft 39, I provide a compact device.

Worm 31 meshes with a worm-gear 36, which is mounted turnably, as also shown in Fig. 3, between the legs of a U-shaped mount 34. shown in Fig. 8, the bottom wall of U-shaped mount 34 .is detachably fixed to bottom wall I8 by screws 35. Worm-gear 36 is fixed to shaft I1. I The worm 43 meshes with the top gear of a train of gears 4!. As shown in Figs. 3 and 8, the four gears 4! are rotatably mounted on an angular mount 40, whose base is fixed detachably to bottom wall I8 by screws 42.

As shown in Fig. 8, the bottom gear 4! meshes with a gear 440., which is fixed to a gear 44, which meshes with a gear 45, which is fixed to shaft 45a.

'' Fig. 24 also shows the gears 44 and 45 and the shaft 45a.

As shown in Fig. 12, the shaft I! of gear 36 has another gear I8, whose function is later described- As shown in Fig. 8, the U-shaped mount 34 has an extension 34a, which provides bearings 38 for the shaft 39.

As shown in Fig. 8, a compression spring 506 presses gear and its sleeve 68 against the pins 69 of shaft 39.

The device comprises a conventional lamp, not shown, which illuminates the windows at the front of the device, when the flag is turned down from its up position of Fig. 1. For this purpose and other purposes, the device includes one or more electrical circuits.

Figs. 8 and 28 show a longitudinal vertical block !4, made of insulating material, which is fixed detachably to wall 9 by screws I5. This block H is located rearwardly of partition plate 41. A series of independent metal contact bars I6 are fixed to insulating block I4. Each contact bar I6 has respective sockets I 6b and Mia. The bared ends !2a of insulated rear wires I2 are fixed to respective plug pins II, which are resiliently held in sockets I6a. Front wires I2b have respective bared ends, which are connected to similar plug pins I'|-,- which are releasably held in sockets I619. .The rear wires I2 are connected to the terminals of the cam-controlled switches of insulating block 21b. The front wires !2b are connected to the lamp or to the terminals of other electrically controlled or operated parts, which may be located forwardly of partition plate 4'!. The front wires I2b may extend through holes of wall 9. By removing the plug pins I! of the front wires .I2b from their respective sockets, the rear frame can be detached from partition plate 4?, without disturbing the connections of front wires !2b to their respective terminals.

As shown in Fig. 8, each cam-operated switch which is associated with insulating block 2Ib has resilient metal contact posts 343. The inner end of each metal contact post 343 is fixed detachably to block 2Ib, and said inner end is connected to a respective wire I2. Each cam-operated switch includes a respective resilient and cam-operated switch blade. Two such cam-operated switch blades 34! and 342 are shown in Fig. 8. The switch blade 34! is associated with the contact post 343 which is shown in Fig, 8. The switch blade 342 is associated with another contact post 343, and hence with another circuit. One terminal of the battery or other source of electric current is connected to the inner end of cam-operated switch-blade 34!, which is fixed to an insulating extension of block 2Ib. Fig. 8 shows the resilient cam-operated switch blade 34! in its circuit-opening position, in which said blade 34! abuts a resilient stop-post 344, whose inner end is fixed to said insulating extension of block 2 It. The switch-blades 34! and 342 are re spectively operated by respective insulating cams 339 and 340, which are fixed detachably to camshaft 88, which is operated by the turning of the flag I43. When the flag is turned to a down position, the respective cam flexes the respective switch blade 34! or 342, to contact with the re spective contact post 343, thus closing the circuit of the lamp or other electrically operated part. The positions of the cam-operated switchblades in Fig. 8 correspond to the up position of the flag I43. The other electrical connections are conventional and not illustrated.

All of the automatically operated parts are located rearwardly of the partition plate 41. It is clear than when the detachable casing Cu, is removed, important units of the automatic mechanism can be readily removed. Thus. the removable plate 2! carries the main plug which has the insulating block 2Ib, and all the camoperated switches. The rearwardly removable plate 25 carries shaft 14, the gears '!I,, ill, 15 and the sleeve 68, so that this sub-unit can be readily detached. The mount 34-3 4a which can be easily upwardly detached from bottom wall I 8, carries the shaft 39 and its detachable worms 39 and 43. The mount 40, which can also be easily upwardly detached, carries the four gears 4!. Hence the main parts of the automatic mechanism are arranged in respective sub-units, each of which can be individually easily separated from the complete assembly.

The respective walls of rear frame I may be detachably connected to each other.

Mechanism for positioning flag 143 in its respective down positions, and the cam-shaft 88 Referring to Fig. 1, after a short preliminary release movement in the clockwise direction, the flag I43 is turned counterclockwise from its up position of Fig. l, as indicated by the arrow I43a, to its three respective down positions. The flag I43 is also-turned counterclockwise in the direction of arrow I43a, from any of its down positions, back to its initial up position of Fig. l, which is the For Hire position.

Fig. 13 is a rear view of Fig. 1. Hence, when the flag I43 is seen as viewed in Fig. 13, said flag !43 is turned down in the clockwise direction of arrow I431), which is the same as the direction of arrow I43a.

As shown in Fig. 13, flag I43 is fixed to a rod I44. which is fixed detachably to a rod I 45, which is fixed detachably to a longitudinal flag-shaft 89, which is also shown in Fig. 2. By selecting the length of rod I44, the flag I43 may be displayed at different heights in its up position.

The longitudinal flag-shaft 83 extends through the front plate I, through a corresponding hole, not shown, in partition plate 47, and it may extend optionally through a corresponding hole in detachably to flag-shaft 89.

that pawl the rear wall of casing Ca. Said flag-shaft 89 is longitudinally detachable from its bearings. As shown in Fig. 2, flag-shaft 89 has a bearing in plate I9, through which the flag-shaft may optionally extend. By making the rear frame I longitudinally detachable from partition plate 47, the installation and removal of longitudinal parts like the flag shaft 89 and its accessory parts, and other parts of the mechanism, are greatly facilitated.

By making the flag-shaft 89 of sufficient length so that it extends through plate I and the rear wall of casing Ca, the flag I43 may be located at the front or rear of the complete assembled taximeter.

Fig. 13 shows a positioning disc I46 .fixed Said disc I46 has four identical positioning recesses I47, which have equal angular spacings of 90 A ratchet disc I49 is fixed detachably to flagshaft 99, by a pin I48. Said ratchet-disc I49 has a series of notches I50, to provide a series of ratchet teeth.

Pawl II, arm I56, arm I52, and pawl I53 are respectively pivotally connected to plate I at its inner face by pivots I54, I51 and I55. Arm I52 and pawl I53 have a common pivot I55.

The respective ends of a tension spring I60 are connected to pawl I5I and arm I56. One end of a tension spring I59 is connected to plate I, and the other end of said tension spring I59 is connected to arm I56.

The ends of a tension spring I6I are respectively connected to pawl I53 and to plate I. The ends of a tension spring I62 are respectively connected to arm I52 and to pawl I53. A pin or screw I63, also shown in Fig. 14, is fixed detachably to arm I52. The shank of pin I83 is pressed against pawl I53 by tension spring I62, one of whose ends is fixed to pawl I53.

The arm I56 has a turnable roll I58, which releasably engages the positioning disc I46 at one of its recesses I41. The ratchet-disc I49 has a longitudinal pin I64.

Referring to Fig. 13, when it is desired to turn flag I43 so as to turn flag-shaft 89 in the direction of arrow I43b, the flag I43 and flag-shaft 89 are initially rotated through a small angle in a direction reverse to arrow I431). thus releasing pawl I53 from its respective ratchet-recess of ratchet disc I49, so that tension spring I6I then turns pawl I53 clockwise as viewed in Fig. 13, so I53 is temporarily released from ratchet-disc I49, and pawl I53 is held in said released position by spring I6I. It is then possible to turn flag I43 and flag-shaft 99 in the direction of arrow I432).

The roll I59 will releasably maintain the positioning disc I 46 in its respective adjusted position, when it is turned in unison with flag-shaft 89, either 90 or 180 or 270 or 360 from its initial up position of Fig. 13, in the direction of arrow I432). In this embodiment, the turning of shaft 89 through an angle of 90 in the direction of arrow I 432) to the first down position of flag I43 from the up position of flag I43, which is shown in Fig. 13, corresponds to the normal or single distance fare rate. When'the flag I43 is turned down in unison with shaft 89, 180 and 270 in the direction of arrow I431), from the up position of flag I43, said flag is in its respective extra fare and free waiting time positions.

After the flag I43 has "been turned to any of its 10 down positions, the pawl I5I and the associated ratchet-teeth of ratchet disc I49 prevent the return of the flag I43 to its up position, save by turning the flag I43 in the direction of arrow I431).

However, the flag I43 can be turned back and forth between its first and third down positions, so that, for example, when the period of free waiting time has expired, the flag I 43 can be turned reversely to arrow I43b, from the third down position of the flag, either to its second or first down positions. This is because the ratchet-teeth of ratchet-disc I49, which cooperate with pawl l'5I, are confined to a suitable small arc of ratchet-disc I49.

Referring to Fig. 13, when the pawl I53 is released from disc I49 by spring I6I by the short initial turning of disc I49 in a direction reverse toarrow I432), said pawl I53 will press against pin I63 to turn arm Ii' clockwise from its normal position as viewed in Fig. 13 so that the camtip of arm I52 will thus be located to be struck by the pin I64 of ratchet disc I49, when ratchet disc I49 and its pin I64 are turned through approximately 360 from its position of Fig. 13, in the direction of arorw I431). Hence, when the flag I43 is turned from any respective down position, back to its initial up position, by rotating flag-shaft 89 in the direction of arrow I431), the pin I64 will strike the cam-surface at the tip of arm I52, thus turning arm I52 reversely to arrow I431), so that pin I63 will then turn pawl I53 reversely to arrow I43b, thus reengaging disc I49 and pawl I53, which is then retained in position in the corresponding ratchet recess of disc I49. These means for controlling the position of the flag-shaft constitute an important feature of the invention.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 5, the flag-shaft 89 has a worm 90, which meshes with a worm-wheel 9 I of the lateral cam-shaft 89. As shown in Fig. 5, said cam-shaft 88 has reduced ends which extend turnably through bearings in the longitudinal walls 8 and 9.

Main-shaft 93 and operating mechanism As shown in Fig. 5, the main shaft 93, which is also designated as the drop-shaft, is parallel to cam-shaft 88. This main shaft 93 has reduced ends which extend through bearings in the longitudinal walls 8 and 9.

Figs. 5 and 7 show a longitudinal clock-driven shaft 338, which is mounted turnably in a bearing which is fixed detachably to bottom plate I8. As shown in Fig. 7, one end of shaft 338 has coupling pins 331, by means of which shaft 338 can be coupled to the clock drive-shaft which is rotated by the clock mechanism in sub-casing or sub-housing 30.

Fig. 7 shows that shaft 338 has a bevel gear 94 fixed detachably thereto. This shaft 339 and its gear 94 and its U-shaped bearing constitute another sub-unit which can be easily separated from the complete assembly while the other parts remain assembled.

Fig. 5 shows that bevel gear 94 of shaft 338 meshes with a bevel gear 95, which is fixed detachably to lateral clock-driven shaft 96.

Fig. 22 shows that one end of the lateral clockdriven shaft 96 has a bearing in a plate I05, which is fixed detachably by screws I 06 to bottom wall I8 of rear frame I. The other end 99 of shaft 96, which may be hollow or solid, abut a plate IOI, which is fixed detachably to wall 8 by screws I 02. Said end 99 may extend turnably into plate IOI. Said shaft-end 33 extends through the hub I33a of a lever 533. Said hub IBM is freely turnable relative to shaft-end 99. The hub lil aa of a lever 534 is turnable on hub I33a, so that levers I33 and I34 are freely turnable relative to each other. Hubs 34a and Ill3a have reduced cylindrical edge-portions which are located in a bore of plate 8. Suitable detachable means are provided to prevent axial shifting of hubs IBM and I33a, while permitting their free turning relative to each other and relative to shaft 33.

Fig. 5 shows ratchet-tooth collars I84 and I85, which are fixed detachably to main shaft 33, and identical gears I88 and I31, whose hubs are mounted loosely on main shaft 33.

Fig. 12 shows the ratchet-tooth collar I85 which is fixed detachably to main shaft 93, its ratchet teeth I86, and the pawls 889 which are mounted pivotally on the associated gear 13?, said pawls its being biased by blade springs I30 to engage the ratchet teeth I35 of ratchet-tooth collar I85. One end of each biasing spring I93 is fixed to gear I87.

Fig. 10 shows a gear 93 which is fixed detachably to the clock-driven shaft 93, which is driven by the clock-mechanism in sub-casing 33, at a regulated and constant angular speed. Fig. 10 also shows the time-levers m4 and I33.

Figs. 10 and 22 also show a plate I33, which is slotted as shown in Fig. 16, so that plate E33 can be adjustably clamped by clampin screw Hi), to time lever I34.

Fig. 1-0 shows a pin M2 which is fixed to time lever I33.

Fig. 1 shows intermeshing gears IN, MI, and H2, which are turnably mounted by respective detachable pivots I38 on adjustable plate I3, a gear H3 mounted detachably and turnably on lever I83, and gears 9'! and 38 which are fixed detachably to clock-driven shaft 98, and intermeshing respectively with gears I3? and IE3.

Fig. 10 also shows gear l2 which is fixed detachably to main shaft 93, and a forked campin IZI, also shown in Figs. and 9, which is fixed detachably and adjustably to one extension of main shaft 93. As shown in Fig. 9, the resilient legs of cam-pin I21 are pressed towards each other to clamp a ainst the respective extension of main shaft 93, by a clamping screw I2Ia The radial position of the cam-tip of cam-pin -I2I can thus be regulated. Referring to Fig. '10, the positions of time levers I4 and H13 correspond to the up position of flag I43.

Fig. 10, and also Fig. 5, show collars III} and III which are fixed detachably to cam-shaft 88, and which have respective pins I I8 and I I9 which are parallel to the lateral cam-shaft 38.

As shown in Fig. 10, when the flag I43 is in its up position, said pins H8 and H9 are located midway between the ends of the arcuate proximate faces of time levers Hi4 and I33, which are then in their respective unmeshing positions. These arcuate faces are concentric with the axis of cam-shaft 88, and each said arcuate face has an angle of 90. In Fig. 10, the pins H8 and H9 abut thesearcuate faces of the time levers. For convenience, the time-lever "I04 is designated as the first time-lever and the time-lever I03 is designated as the second time-lever.

Theends of :a tension spring I I4 are respectively detachably connected to time levers I04 and I 03. Anothertension spring I I 5 has one end detachably connected to wall-8, and its other end is connected detachably to time-lever I83;

Figs. 9 and 10 show a latch-lever I33 which is detachably pivoted at M to wall 8. The ends of a tension spring 4I are respectively detachably connected to wall 8 and to latch-lever I39. Said latch-lever I39 has a forked end, one of whose legs has a latch-shoulder I42a. The other said leg I38 has a pin I37.

When the stop pins I I8 and I I9 are rotated from their up positions of Fig. 10, time lever I03 is temporarily held in unmeshing position by its pin I42 and the latch-shoulder I42a of latchlever I39. Tension spring H4 then turns only the time-lever I34 to its meshing position, so that gear i I2 meshes with gear I20, thus turning main shaft 93 and its cam pin I2I by means of the clock-driven mechanism if said clock-driven mechanism is faster than the wheel-drive mechanism. After a selected period of time, the campin I2I will strike pin I33, thus turning lat-chlever I39 until its shoulder I42a releases pin I42, thus releasing the second time-lever I33.

Fig. 10 shows that the second time-lever I03 has a bar 333. When said second time-lever I33 is thus released, said second time-lever I03 is turned by tension spring I I5, so that the bar .400 first turns the first time-lever I64 to its respective unmeshing position in which gear H2 is unmeshed from gear I 23, and the second time-lever IE3 is then turned to its meshing position in which gear H3 is meshed with gear I20.

The angle of rotation of main shaft 93, which is required to release the second time-lever I513, is selected by selecting the gear train IOI-I I I-- II2. These gears may be replaced by gears of other sizes. When said gear train IOl-I I I H2 is thus replaced, the detachable plate I03 is adjusted so as to mesh the end gear II2 with gear I23, when time lever IE4 is released. The bar 433 strikes the shank of the clamping screw H3, in order to unmesh gears H2 and I20.

As later disclosed, there is a Wheel drive for main shaft 93, in addition to the clockmecha nism drive. When the flag I43 is up, the clock-mechanism does not operate to drive main shaft 33. When the flag I43 is in its first down position or in its second down position, the wheel drive of the cab operates the main shaft 93 only when the speed of the cab is above a selected minimum speed, and the clock mechanism drives main shaft 93 when the cab is stationary and also while the speed of the cab is less than the selected minimum speed.

The clock-driven gear train 9'Il01l I I- II2--I2 turns the main shaft 93 more slowly than the clock-driven gear-train 33II3-I20. Hence the function of the gear-trains shown in Fig. 10, is to turn the main shaft 93 at a selected angle of rotation of saidmain shaft 93 if the main shaft 93 is then rotated by the clock-mechanism, and then to increase the angular velocity of said main shaft 33 if it is being rotated by the clockmechanism, as long as the flag is in either its first or second down position.

When the flag is reset to its up position, it is necessary to reset the parts of Figs. 9 and '10 to their initial positions shown therein.

For this purpose, and as shown in Figs. 5 and 9, one extension of main shaft 93 has a gear I 3|, detachably fixed thereto. This gear I3I meshes With a gear I32. Asshown in Figs. 5, 9 and 23, a heart cam I34 is fixed to gear I32. Fig. 23 shows that gear 32 is fixed detachably to a driven shaft I32a which has a bearing in wall 8, and also in a plate I321) which is detachably fixed to bottom plate I8 by screws I320. 

